Ghost Festival sparks chaos with street bonfires in Mong Kok

A viral video showing intense bonfires in Mong Kok during the Hungry Ghost Festival has raised alarms, with some mistaking the traditional burning of ritual paper for arson. 

The chaotic scene on Portland Street, where multiple piles of ceremonial offerings were set ablaze, drew firefighters to the area and sparked a heated online debate about safety and legality.

During the Hungry Ghost Festival, a traditional Chinese event in the seventh lunar month, it’s customary to burn paper offerings, known as “ghost money” or ritual clothing, to honor the deceased.

However, a recent incident on Portland Street saw the practice escalate dramatically, with several large fires fueled by heaps of paper offerings in metal mesh containers. 

Videos circulating online captured flames reaching human height, with some piles reduced to ash while others burned fiercely. Firefighters were present at the scene, attending to the still-active fires.

The spectacle shocked onlookers, with social media posts describing the scene as resembling a street engulfed in flames. Similar incidents were reported nearby on Tung Choi Street, known as Goldfish Street, where thick smoke from burning offerings led some to initially suspect a vehicle fire. 

Online reactions were swift, with many criticizing the reckless scale of the fires, comparing them to deliberate arson. 

Complaints highlighted the absence of proper containers, like metal cans or designated burners, which could have contained the flames more safely. Some residents expressed frustration, noting the potential danger to nearby buildings and passersby.

Under Hong Kong law, open burning without a permit is a criminal offense, punishable under the Air Pollution Control (Open Burning) Regulation.

 However, an exemption allows the burning of incense, paper money, or ritual items during traditional or religious ceremonies, such as the Hungry Ghost Festival. 

Despite this, leaving waste or ash in public spaces is illegal and can result in a fixed penalty of HK$3,000. 

Additionally, obstructing public pathways or traffic with such activities could lead to further legal consequences.

The incident has reignited discussions about balancing cultural traditions with public safety, as the dramatic fires underscored the risks of uncontrolled burning in densely populated urban areas.